Strengthening the UK’s Digital Defences
How Will the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill Affect Your Business?
Author: Sam Honey
Key Contact: Declan Goodwin
On 1 April 2025, the UK Government unveiled the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill (the Bill), a key step forward in safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure from rising cyber threats. Following its introduction in the King’s Speech in 2024, the highly anticipated Bill aims to modernise and expand the existing cyber security framework to meet evolving challenges and align with the EU’s NIS2 Directive.
Why this matters
With almost every aspect of life dependent on digital systems, the need for robust cyber security is clear. Recent incidents, such as the Synnovis ransomware attack that disrupted NHS services, highlight the real-world consequences of poor cyber security. These events underscore the importance of improving defences to protect essential services and prevent cascading impacts across the economy.
Key proposals of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
- Expanding the regulatory scope
The Bill will widen the scope of existing regulations to include Managed Service Providers (MSPs), which play a critical role in IT management and system monitoring for businesses and the public sector. This move aims to close gaps in cyber defences, as MSPs are prime targets for cyber-attacks due to their access to client systems.
- Strengthening supply chain security
Supply chains are vulnerable to disruption, and the Bill introduces measures to designate high-impact suppliers as ‘Critical Suppliers’. These suppliers will be required to meet enhanced security standards to prevent breaches from affecting essential services.
- Empowering regulators
The Bill gives regulators enhanced powers to enforce compliance and oversee cyber security measures, including expanded powers for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to gather information and enforce registration. It also mandates quicker reporting of cyber incidents, requiring notification of regulators and the National Cyber Security Centre within 24 hours and a full report within 72 hours.
- Bringing data centres under regulation
Following their designation as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), data centres will now be subject to strict cyber security regulations, ensuring that these vital facilities maintain high standards of resilience against cyber threats.
- Ensuring regulatory flexibility
The Bill introduces new powers for the Secretary of State to update the regulatory framework without needing a new Act of Parliament, allowing for a more agile and responsive approach to cyber security as threats evolve.
Looking Ahead
The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill marks a significant step towards improving the UK’s cyber defences. As the Bill progresses through Parliament, businesses must stay informed and prepare for changes that may impact their operations. Effective implementation will depend on ongoing consultations and the adaptability of the regulatory framework to meet new challenges in the ever-evolving cyber landscape.
If you have any questions, or would like to ensure your organisation is fully prepared for the upcoming changes introduced by the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, please contact our Commercial and Technology Team.